Alot of if's but if we sell solano and Gavilan takes his position on the right, where is Dyer going to play?

If as expected we purchase a couple of new central midfield players he won't play there. If we get a decent left sided player he won't play there. He won't play up front as he hasn't the natural finishing ability.

I for one do not like the 4-3-1-2, which would see him play behind the front two.

My personal preference would be for him to play on the right wing, making runs infield as well as getting to the byline. It will all be resolved in the summer but it must be a headache for RR.

What do you all think?

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000

Answers

I think it's a problem, that's what I think.
This is symptomatic of our recent problems, wherein our esteemed prior managers have bought players first and then tried to figure out what to do with them. Unprofessional, you cry - correct, say I.
Kets and Maric were another cases in point, although other problems with that goofball, Sylvia Maric, make this particular one somewhat irrelevant.
I believe BR will by now have decided exactly where he wants to play KD next season and will go about his acqusitions/disposals in a systematic manner to support that plan - it's called management, I believe.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000

Deep disappointment on reading the above. I thought that this thread MUST refer to his recent (and of course alleged) three-in-a-bed romp.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000

he has said he prefers central midfield and I believe YBR will play him there next year, after having had a season to 'settle in'.

I think hes looked great in the centre when playing there- the problems it poses is of course 1/hell use up too much energy battling in midfield 2/looks frail and cud be prone to injuries in the centre 3/is he a tough enugh tackler to help control the centre(but then again Scholes isnt)

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000

Spud I ain't so sure that Young Kieron is ready yet to move infield and take on the bulk of the Toon's creative playmaking. Ditto Sparrowhawk wide on the right next season. Which is why I would rather see us spend whatever it takes to bring in the finished article to play more centrally, keep Dyer wider and blood Gavilan throughout the season using chances that will inevitably arise through injuries. Down the track I can definitely see Dyer terrorising defences in more of a free, floating role but I reckon next year is too soon for that somehow if we are to avoid him becoming another Mcmanamanamanm - bundles of talent but neeone knows what the hell he will do or where he will pop up next. Just a thought.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000

Geez, it's not like I've been trying to discuss this all season! ;(

Anyway my views.

There are three positions to play Dyer, as right winger, as a cntral midfielder in a 4-4-2 formation, or in the hole behind the front two in a diamond or 4-3-1-2 midfield.

Now competing with Dyer for the wide right or in-the-hole spots are Solano, Gavilan and Gallacher. As for a cental position, there are Lee and Speed, both of whom are defensive midfielders as opposed to attackers like Dyer.

However the real problem goes beyond midfield make-up and competion for places, but the whole team line-up.

Up front we have Dunc and Al who need service from the wings to be effective. Or as the case has been lately, balls lobbed out of defense.

But it is the back four that concern me the most. We have yet to see a central defensive partnership established. While that is a concern, I really think it will come down to who manages to stay injury free.

But the real problem in defense is the play of our full backs. We have Barton who is good at supporting attacks down the wing, but this sometimes leaves space for the opposition to utilise on the counter attack as Barton tries to recover his defensive position.

The same happens with Domi when he plays in defense down the left, and has also happened with Hughes. And while Hughes has down well defending, he lacks a left foot and the ability to get balls to Al and Dunc like Barton can. And Pistone often sits in no-mans land between attacking and defending, not willing to get to far forward in case of a counter attack, yet he leaves space both in front and behind himself for the opposition to utilise.

The problem this causes is the definte need for two defensive midfielders to help cover the defence.

Idealistically I'd like to see us play four across the midfield, with two wingers, a defensive midfielder and Dyer in the centre of midfield, or allowed a free roaming role. Of course the wingers would have to be competent defenders as well as good attackers.

All I know is I'd prefer to see Domi and Barton in the full back positions, with two proper wingers in front of them. With Dyer in the middle of the park, and a third great striker on the bench.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2000

yep Tre I agree with all of that.

If we have the money then yes, buy a world class attacking midfielder- if not then Dyer is the man for the job. Id rather see the bulk of money getting a very good left sided player and another PHYSICAL striker such as Carl Cort(spelling?) from Wimbledon.

Domi HAS to go back to left back- TDM said he bought him due to his excellent positional play. I just hope YBR has used Hughes in left back for solidity with relegation threat, and pushed Domi up forward to give him some extra attcking experience. I think Domi has looked TOTALLY lost in left midfield apart from when hes brought on as a sub late on.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2000

Domi
I just can't see BR playing Domi at LB. Just look at what has happened to date - he played Pistone there as long as he was fit, despite obvious frustration with his hesitancy in getting forward to support the attack. When Pistone was GBH'd by that makem b@st@rd, he switched Hughes to LB and he has stayed there ever since.
Domi has come in and out of the side, but always as wide m/f player. If BR thought Domi was a PL class FB he would have been in the team long before now.
The problem is he doesn't feel Domi is a good enough defender, and I tend to agree with him. I really feel Domi will be off this close season for a decent wedge.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2000